BBC to show MotoGP live until 2009

The BBC has announced a new five-year contract to show MotoGP and this year it will show 12 of the 16 races live.

The corporation says all rounds will be shown in full whether live or not. The announcement was made at London’s Dominion Theatre on Tuesday with British MotoGP stars attending.

BBC Director of Sport Peter Salmon, said: ” We’re particularly pleased that this deal will mean a substantial increase in the number of races we are able to show live, giving viewers more chances to see the likes of Neil Hodgson, Shane Byrne and Jeremy McWilliams taking on Valentino Rossi. ”

Carmelo Ezpeleta, of MotoGP right’s owner Dorna, said: ” The support from the BBC is a major boost for the sport in the UK. We all know that Britain has always been a country devoted to motorsport, especially to motorcycle racing. Now that Grand Prix racing has entered a new era with the MotoGP category, it is time that the UK recovers its leading role.

” The presence of performance riders such as Hodgson, Byrne and McWilliams already shows this, but at least as important is the backing of the BBC. ”

Suzi Perry will present coverage of the championship beginning live on April 18 in South Africa. Charlie Cox and Steve Parrish will provide the commentary.

And on Sunday Grandstand on April 11 you can see a preview of the championship with an in-depth interview with Rossi.

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